[Prince Yamato]

Got a question (bare with this). What chemical produces the "sweet" scent one smells after firing a 9mm pistol (specifically 115g Winchester)? Also, I've noticed different ammunition (not surprisingly) smells different after being fired. What makes say, Wolf 7.62x39 smell different than the 9mm ammo? I've noticed similar scents when I've passed construction crews working on pavement.

[P95Carry]

No idea re the actual responsible chemicals - but viewing powders as nitroglycerin based or even double base with nitro-cellulose content - the products of combustion are full of nitrogen breakdown products.

If I recall my chem well enough - these explosives are based on the benzine ring (hex) or phenol type ring - which is all based on C and H - it is the attached groups that make the stink!!

I expect also however - there are many possibilities for minute additives - to assist powder flow, stability, longevity etc - and probably it will be something in this category you smell. Different makes use different ''extras''. Some smell pretty foul - others are OK and maybe have that ''sweet'' element you describe.

If we have any practicing theoretical chem folks here they can answer way better than me - I am just thinking out loud.

OH BTW - I will bet too the primer compound will also add its own ''piquance'' - wheter a styphnate type or later and less toxic mix. Most unusual question but intriguing too.

[mete]

The major smell to ammo is the solvents used in making the powder .This can vary with type of powder and solvent. So a solvent smell is normal . When nitrocellulose degrades and breaks down the smell becomes acrid with ammonia compounds and the color may change to a redish or orange color.Degraded powder is unsafe and must be disgarded !!!

[Prince Yamato]

I was thinking how the store part of the indoor range I shoot at always smells like lathered shave-cream. So then I thought, gee, let me see what is in my shave-cream. The NitroGlycerin mentioned perviously was the thing that rang a bell- shave cream has glycerin (an alcohol substitute) in it. According to wikipedia, the two (nitro and regular glycerin) are related. While it says glycerin is odorless, I'm guessing, when you turn it from a solid or liquid, to a gas, it probably smells. Hence, the smell I like may be (nitro)glycerin vapors. I also like the smell of gas at the gas pump. Why do explosive compounds always smell so darn good? :D (all joking aside, please note, I do not actively sniff toxic chemicals, I just have very strong olfactory senses and notice little things, like the different scents of ammo).